Fertilizer-discharging attachment for corn-planters.



O. T. ROGERS 8/: F. E. LEE. FERTILIZER DISGHARGING ATTACHMENT FOR 001mPLANTERS, AP'PLIOATION FILED JULY 19, 1909.

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Patented May 24, 1910.

G. T. ROGERS & F. E. LEE. FERTILIZER DISGHARGING ATTACHMENT FOR 00m:PLANTERS,

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 19, 1909.

Patented May 24, 1910.

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G. T. ROGERS 6: F. E. LEE. FERTILIZER DISGHARGING .ATTAGI-IMENT FOR 00amPLANTERS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1909.

Patented May 2 19W.

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UNITED STATES PTENT FFTCE CHARLES TRUMAN ROGERS AND FRANK EDWARD LEE, OFCARDINGTON, OHIO.

FERTILIZER-DISCHARGING ATTACHMENT FOR. CORN-PLANTERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1910.

Application filed July 19, 1909. Serial No. 508,384.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES T. Rocnns and FRANK E. LEE, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Cardington, in the county of Morrow and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFertilizer-Discharging Attachments for Corn-Planters, of which thefollowing is a specification.

Our invention relates to the improvement in fertilizer dischargingattachments for corn planters, and the objects of our invention are tocombine with a desirable form of check-row corn planter, an improved.construction whereby a predetermined quantity of fertilizing materialwill be automatically discharged adjacent to each hill of corn plantedby the corn planter; to provide in conjunction therewith means forregulating the amount of fertilizing material so discharged; to provideimproved means for supporting the fertilizer discharging shoes wherebythe same may yield when brought into contact with roots and similarobstacles and to produce other improvements the cletails of which willbe more fully pointed out hereinafter.

These objects we accomplish in the manner illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of a corn planter having ourimproved fertilizer distributing attachment connected therewith, Fig. 2is a plan view, Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation of the machine, Fig. 41-is a detail View in perspective of one of the valve plates forregulating the amount of fertilizer discharged and showing in connectiontherewith, means for operating said valve plate, and, Fig. 5 is atransverse section on line m0c of Fig. 8.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out our invention, we employ a suitable or well known formof wheeled corn planter, of which 1 represents the transverse axle orground wheel shaft and 2 represent the opposing ground wheels which arecarried on the ends of said axles, said wheels having the usual dishedor angular rims 2 Supported upon the axle is the corn planter frame, ofwhich 3 represent the parallel side frame members, which are connectedby transverse frame bars 4 at their forward ends, the latter havingextensions 1 on the outer sides of the forward portions of the framebars 3, for the support of the usual seed hoppers 5, each of these seedhoppers being provided with the usual downwardly extending outlet spout(S, with the lower end portions of which are connected the usualforwardly extending and upwardly curved furrow producing shoes 7.

8 represents the dropper operating shaft, which extends transverselybetween the lower portions of the hoppers 5 by the turning of which theseed corn is discharged from the hoppers in any usual or well knownmanner.

9 represents the forked check wire engaging arms which are carried onthe outer ends of the shaft 8, the latter being ournaled in bars 10which connect the ends of the frame bar extensions 46*.

WVith the rear portion of each of the side frame bars 3, is rigidlyconnected a rearwardly and upwardly extending arm or frame bar extension3 these upwardly inclined extension arms being connected with atransverse frame bar 11. In rear of the fame bar 11 is a parallel framebar 12 which extends beyond the outer sides of the frame members 3 andwhich in conjunction with extensions of the frame bar 11 form supportsfor fertilizer hoppers 13 which are thus arranged in rear of the groundwheels 2 and which are suitably connected with said frame extensions.Each of these hoppers 13 is formed with an inclined or beveled lowerportion, which terminates in a rounded transverse portion or channelindicated in dotted lines at 15 in Fig. 1. From each of the hoppers 18lead downward vertical outlet spouts 1a, which through the medium offlexible downwardly extending conduits 15, are connected with the upperends of metallic dischargiin shoes 16, the latter tapering toward theirlower ends and being forwardly curved, as shown, imparting thereto asubstantially horn shape. In the underside of the forwardly turnedportion of each of the shoes 16 is provided a discharge opening 17.

On the shaft 1 near the inner side of each of the frame bars 3 issecured a hanger 18 and with each of these hangers is connected thefront end of a rearwardly and downwardly extending supporting bar 19,each of the latter being connected on the inner side of one of the innershoes 16, with one end of a traverse keeper bar 20, one of which extendsin rear of each pair of shoes 16,

said keeper having on each side of its center, j rounded U-shapedprojections 2O which partially embrace the rounded bodies of the shoes16. The outer end of each of the keepers 20 is connected with one end ofa bracketbar 21 which extends, as shown, from the correspondingsupporting bar 19 with which it is connected. Upon the central portionof each of the keeper bars 20 and between the shoes 16, I provide twocoiled springs 20 one end of each of said springs being connected withsaid bar and the other ends thereof respectively engaging the forwardsides of the upper portions of the shoes, the tension of said springsserving to normally hold said shoes against swinging through ordinarypressure. As indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawing, however, the upperportions of the shoes are preferably pivoted as indicated at 22 to thesides of the keeper projections 20 Slidably extending through each pairof discharge spouts 14 immediately beneath the rounded or channelport-ion 13 of each of the hoppers 13, is a valve plate or strip 23, ineach of which is formed on opposite sides of the center of its length,openings 23 which are adapted to register partially or wholly withopenings 23 formed in the bottom of the hopper. The inner end of each ofthese valve plates 23 has rigidly connected therewith a laterallyextending arm 24 and these arms 24 are connected by a horizontal bar 25which toward one end is toothed as indicated at 25. Meshing with theseteeth is a gear segment 26 which is carried 011 a vertically journaledshaft 27, the latter passing through an opening in a bracket 28 which issecured to and projects from the upper portion of one of the hoppers 13and which upon its upper side about said shaft, is provided with acircular arrangement of scale marks. The upper end of he shaft ispreferably provided with a suitable handle or hand wheel 29 tofacilitate the rotation of said shaft and upon the shaft above thebracket plate 28 is carried an indicator hand 30. Upon the ground wheelshaft or axle 1 on one side of the center of the length thereof, iscarried a sprocket wheel 31, over which runs an endless chain belt 32,the latter also running over a smaller sprocket wheel 33 carried upon asuitably journaled transverse shaft 34, the ends of said shaftprojecting within the lower portions of the hoppers 13 and carrying ineach of said hoppers a twisted and horizontally disposed agitating blade35", the outer ends of said blade being journaled in the outer sides ofthe hoppers. Connected with the planter hopper operating shaft 8 is anupwardly extending arm 86 with which is pivotally connected the forwardend of a rearwardly extending connecting bar 37 which in turn ispivotally connected l with the upper end of a short bar 38, which iscarried on a transverse rod 38 which is journaled in the frame members3. lVith the lower end of the bar 38 is connected a rearwardly extendingrod 39 which at its rear end is pivotally connected with one arm of abell crank valve 40, the remaining arm 41 of which projects through anopening in the forward side of one of the spouts 14 where it operateswhen in the horizontal position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 toclose said spout against the release of fertilizing material. This bellcrank valve is carried upon a horizontal rod 4O which is connected witha similar valve entering in a like manner the adjacent spout 14.

Upon the rod 38 at the opposite side of the machine from that on whichis mounted the bar 38, is carried a similar bar 38 (see Fig. 2), whichbar in the manner prescribed for the bar 38, is connected with andadapted to operate valves corresponding with the valve 40 in connectionwith the spouts 14 on the corresponding side of the machine.

Pivoted to the inner side of each of the frame arms 3, is the lowerportion of an upwardly extending lever 42, which below its pivot point,curves rearwardly, as shown, and is connected with the upper end of adownwardly extending rod 43 which passes through a lug 19 on theadjacent bar 19. Below this lug the rod 43 terminates in a head orenlargement 44. Between the lug and the lower end of the lever 42, isinterposed a coiled spring 45. To the upper portion of the lever 42, ispivoted a finger 46 with which is connected the upper end of a rod 47,the latter passing through a lug 48 on the lever 42 and having a bolttermina tion 47 which is adapted to engage the desired one of aplurality of notches formed on the upper side of a rack segment 49 whichrises from the corresponding frame member 3. A coiled spring isinterposed between the lug 48 and the bolt terminations 47.

50 represents the check-row wire, which is ordinarily employed inconnection with the class of corn planters shown and which has providedas usual thereon, buttons or enlargements 51 arranged at distances onefrom the other equal to distances between the proposed hills of corn.This check wire is adapted to run, as shown, through the bifurcation orfork termination of one of the shaft arms 9 in the usual manner.

In the operation of the class of corn planters herein shown, it is wellknown that the contact of the buttons or enlargements 51 of the checkaowwire with the forked arm 9, results in swinging said forked arm untilthe latter is at such angle to permit the passing of the buttontherethrough and in a rocking or partial rotation of the shaft 8, whichin the usual manner, operates the dropper, permitting the desiredquantity of corn to pass downward through the chute 6 into the furrowpreviously cut by the shoe 7. The forward movement of the dish-shapedground wheels, results in the usual manner in covering the corn thusdeposited in the hill. In the forward movement of the machine, it isobvious that the fertilizer depositin shoes 16, will travel on oppositesides of the row of hills and that when the shaft 8 is partially rotatedin the manner described, to efiect the corn droppin operation, arearward movement will e imparted to the bar 37, which through theoperation of the bar 38 and its journaled supporting rod 38 will resultin the forward movement of the rod 39 and the corresponding rod which isconnected with the arm 38 but which is not herein shown. In this mannerthe rod 40 will be swung, resulting in the angular valve connectedtherewith being so turned as to drop the normally horizontal members &1thereof downward within the spouts, permitting fertilizing material tobe discharged through said spouts and their conductors 15 into the shoes16 and thence outward through the openings 17 of said shoes. It isevident that the return of the shaft 8 to its normal position, willagain close the fertilizer spout valves. In this manner, provision ismade for the discharge of quantities of fertilizing material on opposite sides of the previously planted hills of corn, where suchmaterial will be absorbed by the earth about the corn hill, thusinsuring a desired fertilizing of the soil at each hill. Through rotarymotion imparted to the shaft 34 from the axle 1, it is obvious thatrotary movement will be imparted to the mechanism or agitator blades 35within the lower end portions of the hoppers 13, thus preventing thepacking of the fertilizing material within the lower portions of thehoppers and insuring a free movement. of said material into the outletspouts.

The quantity of fertilizing material which is discharged through theshoes 16, may be regulated or governed by turning the shaft 27, thereby,through the connec-' tions described, imparting a horizontal movement tothe valve connecting bar 25 through which movement the openings 23 ofthe valve plates 23 may be brought into the desired relative arrangementwith the openings 23 in the bottom of the hoppers 13. By the provisionof scale marks on the bracket plate 28 and the indicating hand 30 on theshaft 27, it will be understood that means are provided for indicatingthe quantity of fertilizing material so discharged.

In order to raise the shoes 16 to a height which will prevent said shoesengaging an obstruction in the field or when the shoes are not desiredfor use, we have provided the levers 42 and their connections with thesupporting bars 19. By moving these levers forward, it is obvious thatthe heads of the rods 41:3 may be brought into contact with theundersides of the lugs 19, resulting in a lifting of the supporting bars19 and the shoes 16. It will be understood that in case the shoes 16come into contact with unyielding roots, stones or similar obstacles,they may swing rearwardly in their pivotal connections with thesupporting bars 19, thereby permitting them to pass over such obstruction, after which they will be returned to their normal positionsby tension of the springs 20*.

Although we have shown and described two of the shoe elevating levers42, it is obvious that but one of said levers might be employed tooperate both the bars, these bars in order to facilitate such a changebeing suitably connected one with the other. It is also obvious thatwhile hand operated levers are shown for raising the shoes, said shoeraising mechanism may be operated by a suitable foot lever.

From the construction and operation which we have described, it willreadily be understood that a comparatively simple fertilizer dischargingattachment is provided for check-row corn planters, by means of whicheach hill of corn will have deposited adjacent thereto, desirablequantities of fertilizing material, but while the elements shown anddescribed are well adapted to serve the purposes for which they areintended, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited tothe precise construction set forth, but includes within its purview suchchanges as may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim, is:

1. The combination with a check-row corn planter having corn dropperoperating means, of fertilizer hoppers, and valve controlled dischargingconduits adapted to discharge material from said hoppers on oppositesides of a previously planted and cov ered hill of corn, and connectionsbetween said dropper operating means and fertilizer conduit valveswhereby the operation of the dropper opens said conduit valves.

2. The combination with a check-row corn planter having corn dropperoperating means, of fertilizer hoppers supported by the frame of saidcorn planter, outlet spouts leading from said fertilizer hoppers,discharging shoes pivotally supported from the corn planter axle, keeperbars embracing the rear sides of said discharging shoes, springs on saidkeeper bars engaging the forward sides of said shoes, and flexibleconduits between the outlet spouts of said fertilizer hoppers and saidshoes, and means for discharging material from said fertilizer hopperssimultaneously with the discharge of grain from the corn planterhoppers.

3. The combination with a check-row corn planter having corn dropperoperating means, of a fertilizer hopper having bottom openings, a valveplate slidable beneath said fertilizer hopper and having openings, arack bar connected with said valve plate, 'a j ournaled operating shafthaving means for moving said rack bar longitudinally, means carried bysaid shaft for indicating the amount of fertilizing material beingdischarged, valve controlled discharge conduits leading from saidfertilizer hopper, and connections between said conduit valves and thecorn dropper operating mechanism whereby said valves are opened at eachoperation of 15 said dropper mechanism.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES TRUMAN ROGERS. FRANK EDWARD LEE.

Witnesses:

W. P. VAUGHAN, D. MEZGEN.

